By Carol Farnsworth, client, supporter & past ABVI Board Chair I love to take walks in the woods. But ever since I was lost in a woods as a toddler, I prefer to walk with a partner . That partner is my husband or daughter. As we walk we disturb the fauna. A squirrel will… Read more »
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Summer in the City Students Volunteer and Learn
Summer in the City (SITC) 2019, a summer experience for blind and visually impaired students, was filled with new adventures! The students met a variety of community organizations along the way. They experienced volunteerism by donating their time and talents to the Humane Society of West Michigan, Equest Center, Kids Food Basket and Roanoke Ranch…. Read more »
Healthy Habits to Prevent Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration affects the eyesight of millions. Also called AMD, it is known for causing blurred central vision due to damage to the macula – a small area at the back of the eye. Currently, there is no cure. Age is a known risk factor that eye care professions often use to determine a patient’s… Read more »
It’s Personal
Laura Armenta is the Founder of Armentality Movement Arts Center, a co-op for various artistic enterprises including dance, movement, meditation and yoga. So why does she spend her Friday mornings at ABVI teaching Yoga to clients? It’s personal. “My grandmother, who raised me from age seven, taught me unconditional love, compassion, determination, history, knitting, cooking,… Read more »
Summer in the City 2019
Summer in the City is a unique summer program in which students ages 14-20 who are blind or visually impaired can meet and create friendshipswith their peers from surrounding Michigan cities. Together, they explore various experiences throughout West Michigan. The program combines volunteer/hobby exploration, cooking skills, leadership development, and city bus exposure to set up… Read more »
Ocular Photography
If you’re going to the eye doctor, either for a routine exam or an existing issue, you should expect to have photos taken of your eyes. Those images, after all, are a key part of preventive care. They can help your ophthalmologist look for problems — and, if any are detected, to diagnose an issue… Read more »
Attitude is Everything
No one knows what might happen in the future. Our lives can change in an instant. And no one knows this better than Margie Boersma of Holland, Michigan. On June 8, 2017, Margie lost her balance at the top of her stairs. She fell to the bottom and suffered several traumatic injuries. She had no… Read more »
Celebrating Staff Member, Charis Austin
Meet Client Advocate Charis Austin. Charis recently celebrated her 40th anniversary with the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)! Over the years Charis has passionately advocated for services on behalf of individuals with visual impairments. Among Charis’s many advocacy efforts: Charis was instrumental getting legislation passed that led to the creation of… Read more »
Asking for Accommodations
Asking for accommodations can be challenging. Even though part of my job is to teach adults with disabilities how they should ask for reasonable accommodations in the workplace, I sometimes struggle with finding the right balance between graciousness, assertiveness and general education in my own experience. I live in the tension between just wanting things to be accessible immediately, and then knowing that accessibility will not happen until I speak about the need, and allow myself to be vulnerable to the possibility of disclosing my disability during the process.
Asking for Accommodations
Asking for accommodations can be challenging. Even though part of my job is to teach adults with disabilities how they should ask for reasonable accommodations in the workplace, I sometimes struggle with finding the right balance between graciousness, assertiveness and general education in my own experience. I live in the tension between just wanting things to be accessible immediately, and then knowing that accessibility will not happen until I speak about the need, and allow myself to be vulnerable to the possibility of disclosing my disability during the process.
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